Table 2.
Description of management of professional FRs across european regions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
| Country Region |
Activation unchanged | Activation with restrictions | Activation temporarily paused | Are changes made in management during the second wave of COVID-19? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austria Vorarlberg, the Tyrol, and Salzburg |
Professional FRs are equipped with PPE. | No | ||
| Czech Republic Hradec Kralove Region |
Professional FRs are equipped with PPE. | No | ||
| Denmark The Capital Region |
Professional FRs are equipped with PPE. | No | ||
| England South Central Ambulance Services NHS Foundation Trust |
Mandatory to use Level 3 PPE to perform airway procedure. Responders wear Level 2 and should therefore put cloth or similar over patient’s mouth and nose when performing CPR and use AED. | No | ||
| Finland | Professional FRs are equipped with PPE. | No | ||
| Ireland | Firefighters are equipped with PPE. Activation of police temporarily paused. |
No | ||
| Italy Emilia Romagna |
Compression-only CPR except for children and hypoxic cardiac arrests. Cloth or similar over patient’s mouth and nose. |
No | ||
| Italy Lombardia |
Activation temporarily paused. | No | ||
| Luxembourg | Activation temporarily paused. | No | ||
| The Netherlands | Compression-only CPR for unknown COVID-19 status. If COVID-19 is confirmed or suspected, CPR is not recommended, only attach and use an AED. |
No | ||
| Norway | Great regional variations, but general national guidelines were: In low risk of COVID-19 and children, standard CPR guidelines but compression-only CPR accepted. In high risk of COVID-19: only professional FRs who are trained in PPE are activated. |
No | ||
| Portugal | Compression-only CPR if COVID-19 is confirmed or suspected. Standard CPR guidelines if COVID-19 is not suspected. |
No | ||
| Romania | Mask recommended. | |||
| Slovenia | Activation temporarily paused. | Yes, activation was restarted, but with ongoing discussions about management during a second wave * | ||
| Sweden Stockholm, Västra Götaland, Sörmland, Östergötland, Västmanland |
Compression-only CPR if COVID-19 is confirmed or suspected, except for children and hypoxic cardiac arrests. Standard CPR guidelines if COVID-19 is not suspected. |
No | ||
| Sweden Blekinge, Kronoberg |
Compression-only CPR if COVID-19 is confirmed or suspected, except for children and hypoxic cardiac arrests. Standard CPR guidelines if COVID-19 is not suspected. |
No | ||
| Switzerland Ticino, Berne, Fribourg |
Professional FRs are equipped with PPE. | No * |
AED, automated external defibrillator; COVID-19, coronavirus disease 2019; CPR, cardiopulmonary resuscitation; PPE, personal protective equipment. *Countries or regions where an increase in COVID-19 cases (a second wave) has not yet been detected.